3D Robotics

Plans for an open source RC Transmitter

3689416685?profile=original
Another one from Hack-a-day. It's just a concept so far, but the team that's behind it may be competent enough to pull it off. They're using a Kickstarter-like model to raise funds to make it. $670 buys you a pre-order if the project is funded.

an Open Source Remote Control transmitter. This is one of the most impressive looking RC transmitters we’ve ever seen. The OSRC could be great for a small UAV – just get the GPS position from the aircraft and map it with the transmitter’s screen. There’s also support for a video downlink so flying around New York City is possible with a single device.

 

The transmitter/receiver combo are more actually referred to as transceivers. According to [Demetris], the radios on both the ‘ground side’ and ‘vehicle side’ can talk to each other on a 115 kbps data link on the 2.4GHz band. Sending commands and getting telemetry to something we’ve seen before, but never in a single integrated package. The expected range is in the neighborhood of 10 – 40 km.  The ground unit is based on a Gumstix board and has a 4.8 inch display. This really isn’t so much an RC transmitter but a computer that happens to control RC airplanes.

[Demetris] has had some success doing some professional development with Gumstix boards, so it looks like he has the skills to build a very nice R/C controller.

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Comments

  • The only credit I can take is the part of the software that interfaces the ArduPilot data out via xBee to the TX LCD.

    The project is much like the ArduPilot in the respect that a LOT of people contribute to the overall project.

    So look at turning a $60 Tx into a $1000 unit without too much trouble at this website.

    http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1266162

    Yes it is a lot of reading but Soooo easy to do !

    Earl

     

     

  • @ Earl - I'm Interested too
  • Its amazing !
  • Moderator
    @ Earl - You should do a write-up on your project. I'm interested to learn more.
  • Oops, on the picture above I forgot a few things.

    The URL...

    http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1266162

     

    You can see the Lat Lon on the right Tx display, (yes it is NM)

    On Tx on left you can see two ants ! One is regular Tx and other is Xbee for ardupilot data. (on 900 Mhz)The price can vary from $59 to about $89 for the basic Tx.Shop around.

    Then get a programmer from Sparkfun.

     

    This IS an open source project with a LOT of enthusiastic people !

    Email or message me on DiyDrones if you have any other questions.

    Earl

  • hrm, all these awesome kickstarter ideas make me nervous. I think you really ought to have a prototype built out of your own pocket before you ask the internet for 15k. Or at least some references. Based on the linked website, he's done great work on getting an empty 3D model created.

  • Well for $80 + xBee's and a $16 ISP programmer you can come sorta close.....

    Earl

    3692240046?profile=original

  • Developer
    that thing has a lot of buttons and switches!!
  • I think it is too revolutionary for a standard design.

    I dont like the trims on the outside. but, still a great idea that still is a concept and needs debugging on the design.

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